Our Cousin Wall Is Finished!

A few months ago, we started our "cousin wall" - pictures of Bella's cousins so that she could get familiar with their faces. Since we don't live near any family, I really think we should have 8x10's of each member of our family posted, but we just don't have the wall space. :)

So here is our completed space beneath our kitchen counter. It's the perfect height for Bella, and since she can't read yet anyway, I didn't worry too much about how high or low the names were arranged. I can't wait for her to get to play with all of her cousins this summer in Michigan!

Clothing Optional

This post and the last post probably should have been switched, because she was in a better mood yesterday morning, when this picture was taken, and then seemed to feel yuckier as the day went on. Hope she's feeling better for the busy weekend!

How We Spend Our Sick Days...

Bella has not been feeling great the last couple of days...nothing too serious. She has a little fever, a little bit of a runny nose, and has been acting a little miserable. She was not interested in eating dinner, so this is how we spent the last hour before bed (and when she woke up from nap time and at about 4:00)...snuggled up under a blanket watching Beauty and the Beast. Disney princesses can make just about any bad day better.

Birthday Video

It's a little over a week until Bella's actual birthday, but I wanted to post this video from her early party last weekend. What a difference a year makes!

Singing "Happy Birthday" last year; Bella did not understand that the celebration was for her!

Even being offered chocolate didn't help make her any happier.

Much better!!! I'm excited for her actual birthday and the real party...hopefully, we can remember to be nice and calm!

Highlights From The Weekend

We had another great visit with Steve's mom and dad this past weekend! We got pictures taken of Bella and had a "Fake Birthday" party on Saturday afternoon.

Walking through the mall on our way to get pictures taken. She is doing so much better at listening and obeying. It was nice to have her be able to walk through the mall and look in all the windows, but still hold on to my hand. I loved it!

We got an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen (Daddy's favorite!) for her early party. She dug into the frosting flowers right away!

Playing with her new cell phone from Great-Grandma Ferguson and her magna-doodle board from Uncle Matt, Aunt Julie, and the cousins! She loved her presents!!!

Modeling her new "Fancy Nancy" undies that Grandma got her for when she starts potty training. (Mommy's not prepared to start that anytime soon.)

On Sunday morning, Bella got to wear her new "strawberry" outfit to church that Grandma and Grandpa got her for her birthday. She loves the laptop and blocks that they got her, too! She is definitely decked out with toys after this party!

Mom and Dad took Bella to the park to play on Sunday evening. Mom and Bella had fun on the swings; Dad and Bella found planes that were flying overhead.

Tickle Monster

A short video of me tickling Bella and hearing her deep, belly-laugh! We love it!

Okay, I Admit It...

I read strangers' blogs. Not only do I read them, I love them. I look forward to them. Some days, I even rely on them to keep me sane. I have about 5 (okay more like 10, but I only keep up with about 5) blogs that I have found online written by talented, hilarious women who don't mind admitting that motherhood is not always the most joyous, wonderful thing out there since sunshine and glitter. These women, even though they're strangers, have made me feel like I'm not alone, like I'm not the only mother who has wanted to lock her children in the bathroom and go scream into a pillow. They enjoy their children, love them and revel in them, but with a wonderful tongue-in-cheek sarcasm that shows they don't take themselves too seriously.

As much as I enjoy, and even appreciate, these women, I also know that there is a key difference between us. That difference is Jesus. I'm not making a judgment against these women, I'm just making an honest assumption. I'm sure these women have good days, too, but they definitely write to an audience that expects them to be funny. And thankfulness isn't always funny.

I want to remember to be thankful. I have had three and a half awesome months with my husband "stuck" at home. I have loved having him around everyday and will probably go into shock when he returns to his normal schedule. By the way, that will be on Monday. I am thankful for a wonderfully healthy little girl who has never had an ear infection, the flu, respiratory problem, or countless other ailments that have kept my friends' babies in and out of urgent care. Even when she broke her collarbone, she was only in a sling for a week and handled it pretty calmly.

I have a beautiful home and a husband with a killer work ethic. We have been blessed not to have to stress over lost jobs or a poor economy. I have the amazing opportunity to stay at home with my daughter, and even on my worst days, I can't believe I'm lucky enough to be the one she turns to whether she's crying or overcome with giggles. I'm thankful Bella will learn about Jesus from Steve and I, and that we've been given the wonderful privilege and responsibility to teach her about a God who loves her more than we could ever attempt.

So...as thankful as I am for my fellow strangers/bloggers who make me feel like they know what it's like to be in the thick of the trenches, I'm even more thankful for my husband, my baby girl, and my Jesus. And I need to remember that.